The answer is: Light

Gen 1:3 - God first created light, but this wasn't light from the sun as this wasn't created until later.

In the Genesis creation narrative, the emergence of light on the first day signifies a powerful beginning. When God proclaims, "Let there be light," it's like He is illuminating not just the physical world but also the symbolic depths of creation—bringing order and dispelling chaos. This concept echoes throughout various cultures and religious beliefs, where light often symbolizes knowledge, truth, and divinity itself.

It's intriguing to consider that this light created on day one was independent of the sun, which wasn’t created until the fourth day. This unique arrangement suggests an existence of light that is fundamentally different from what we experience today. It highlights the idea that God is the ultimate source of both physical and spiritual illumination.

Speaking of creations, there are notable parallels elsewhere in the scripture. For example, in John 1:5, it says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” connecting the essence of divine light from the beginning to a theme that runs throughout biblical texts.

Moreover, did you know that many ancient civilizations regarded the sun as a deity? This makes the biblical assertion that God created light before the sun a remarkable reorientation of thought. This foundation of light not only sets the stage for the rest of the creation story but also invites reflection on our own search for understanding and clarity in life—often thought of as a journey from darkness to light.